Roma are building momentum at the right time. A dramatic 4-2 home win over Cagliari on Tuesday moved them to third in Serie A with 21 points from nine games, just one point behind Inter, and kept the pressure on the teams above them. The victory was not straightforward. Cagliari equalised at 2-2 late on before substitute Rodrigo Mora headed Roma ahead and then set up Malen to seal it, a performance that underlined the squad depth Gian Piero Gasperini has at his disposal.

Mora's impact off the bench has sent a clear message to his manager. With Paulo Dybala still sidelined after the muscular injury he suffered against Real Madrid, the young Portuguese forward is making a strong case to be trusted as the primary creative option. Gasperini confirmed after the Cagliari match that Dybala will not be available for Saturday's Serie A trip to Udinese either, making Mora's form all the more significant.

Gasperini also provided cautious updates on two other absentees. Goalkeeper Mile Svilar could return to training by the end of this week, with the manager hoping to have him fit for the following week. Midfielder Manu Koné is not expected back before the international break. For now, Roma travel to Udine on Saturday in good form and with their top-three position to defend, even if key players are still working their way back to fitness.